Travel to Japan from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• UK tourists can obtain a 90-day visa on arrival in Japan, but must ensure their passport is valid for the duration of their stay.
• Japan is generally safe for tourists, but areas like Kabukicho and Roppongi in Tokyo have higher risks of crime and drink spiking.
• The flight time from London to Tokyo is approximately 14 hours.
• Travelers should be up-to-date with standard UK vaccinations and take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid dengue.
• Japan is cash-centric, and while cards are accepted in many areas, not all ATMs accept foreign cards; post office and 7-Eleven ATMs are recommended for UK-issued cards.

Table of contents
Visas and entry requirements for Japan Health and vaccinations in Japan Safety tips for travelling in Japan - including emergency contacts Transport in Japan - how to get around Laws, rules and customs in Japan Money and currency in Japan Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Japanese yen

Jetting off to Tokyo from the UK for a culture-packed city break, going temple hopping in Kyoto or skiing in the Japanese Alps? This guide is here to help you have a safe and memorable trip, with key info on visas and entry requirements, health and safety essentials, money and currency, laws and customs, and much more.

We’ll also show you a convenient and cost-effective way to spend in Japan – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Japanese yen (JPY) whenever you spend, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Visas and entry requirements for Japan

Before you hop on a flight to Japan, you’ll need to know about the country’s entry requirements for UK nationals.

The good news is that you don’t need to apply for a visa in advance to visit Japan as a tourist from the UK.

You can get a visa on arrival at whichever Japanese airport you fly into. It lasts for 90 days. If you’ll be leaving and coming back, you’ll need to ask immigration officials for a multi-entry visa.³

You’ll just need to make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. Ideally, it will have 6 to 12 months remaining - as this is what most countries require.

On entering Japan, you’ll get a stamp in your passport - so make sure you have a blank page available.

You can’t work or study in Japan on a tourist visa. So if you plan to do either during your trip, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa.³

Is Japan safe to visit?

Japan is generally considered to be quite safe for tourists and foreign visitors.

As with any foreign travel though, it’s important that you take sensible precautions to ensure your safety. We’ll cover some safety tips, including emergency contact information, later in this guide.

In terms of safety risks in Japan, there are a couple you might need to know about.

According to the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), there’s a higher risk of crime (such as robbery and assault) for foreign nationals in parts of Tokyo’s entertainment districts - particularly around bars and clubs.¹

The regions of Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya and Ikebukuro in Tokyo are also marked as high risk areas for drink spiking and credit card fraud. So if you’re on a night out, be extra vigilant and avoid leaving your drink unattended (and don’t accept drinks from strangers).¹

How long is the flight from the UK to Japan?

Flight times from the UK to Japan vary depending where you’re travelling to and from in both countries.

But to give you an idea, the flight time between London Heathrow and Tokyo is around 14 hours.²

Health and vaccinations in Japan

It’s always a good idea to read up on health information when visiting a foreign country. The last thing you want is for your dream holiday to be ruined by illness, or to be turned away at the border because you don’t have the required vaccinations to travel to Japan.

According to Travel Health Pro, travellers to Japan should ensure they are up-to-date with all the usual recommended UK vaccinations. This includes the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. Tetanus vaccinations should also be up-to-date.⁴

There aren’t many country-specific health risks for Japan, except for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue - so you should take all preventative measures possible to avoid mosquito bites.⁴

Altitude sickness may also be an issue for tourists visiting the Japanese alps or any other destinations significantly above sea level.⁴

Other health tips for Japan include the following:

• Wearing adequate sun protection
• Make sure you have suitable health/travel insurance before you travel
• The tap water is safe to drink, although you can also drink bottled water if you prefer.

Safety tips for travelling in Japan - including emergency contacts

We’ve looked at health advice for Japan, but it’s also important to think about how you’ll stay safe during your trip. Here are some tips to remember:

• Be careful with money and valuables - use a money belt under your clothes to avoid pickpockets, be extra vigilant when using ATMs and use the hotel safe to store your valuables.
• Research your destination in advance, and follow local advice when you’re there.
• Avoid unmarked taxis with white licence plates - only used authorised taxis with green plates.⁵
• Keep an eye on weather and earthquake updates and alerts - it may be worth downloading an early warning app such as Yurekuru Call if you’re concerned.
• Avoid leaving drinks unattended in case of drink spiking.

Emergency contacts

If you experience an emergency situation during your trip, here are the numbers to call:⁶

• 119 - the emergency number for fire and ambulance services in Japan
• 110 - the emergency number for the Japanese police

Make sure you have the number of your travel insurance provider too, in case you need to make a claim or seek assistance.

Transport in Japan - how to get around

If you’re planning on travelling around the city you’re visiting or even different parts of the country, it’s useful to know about Japan’s public transport system.

Japan of course is famous for its Shinkansen bullet trains, which offer a superfast connection between Tokyo and most of the country’s major cities.

You’ll also find excellent public transport services in most cities in Japan, including subway systems, taxis and trains. Buses are also popular for travel to, from and between more rural areas.

How to hire a car in Japan

Public transport is by far the best way to travel around and between Japan’s major cities, as the roads can be very congested. But if you’re planning to explore rural parts of the country, you might want to hire a car.

You’ll need to be at least 18 years old and have either a Japanese driver's license or an International Driving Permit (IDP).⁷

A UK driving licence will not be sufficient on its own, so you’ll need to apply for an IDP before your trip. You can get one from certain UK shops that have PayPoint for a cost of £5.50.⁸

Laws, rules and customs in Japan

It’s always recommended to brush up on local rules, laws and customs in the country you’re visiting. Japanese culture is different to what you’re used to back in the UK, as are its laws.

Here are some of the local rules and laws you need to know about in Japan:¹

• Smoking is banned on public streets in Tokyo, and in some other cities - so you can only smoke in designated areas
• You can be arrested if you can’t show proof of your visa or residence status, so always carry your passport or Japanese residence card with you.
• Japan has a zero tolerance policy on drugs, and the penalties are severe. This can include some prescription drugs that are common in the UK, so be careful what you carry with you.
• Same-sex relationships aren’t illegal in Japan (although same-sex marriage isn’t recognised), but the country’s laws do not specifically protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination. The UK Government has further advice here.
• You may be asked to cover tattoos when using public facilities such as swimming pools and beaches, or you may not be admitted at all.

Japan is quite different to the UK in terms of its customs and culture. Displays of affection in public aren’t common, and loud or boisterous behaviour may attract negative attention.

Eating and drinking while walking is also considered rude. In certain establishments, visitors need to remove their shoes before entering.

The country doesn’t have a tipping culture either, and it may be considered rude or offensive if you do leave a tip at a bar or restaurant.

What languages are spoken in Japan?

The official language of Japan is Japanese. You may find some English spoken in major cities and tourist areas, but it isn’t common. So you might need to learn a few key phrases of Japanese in order to get by during your trip.

Money and currency in Japan

Now, you’ll need to know the best way to spend while in Japan, as well as how to manage and convert your money.

The first crucial thing to know is the official currency, which is the Japanese yen (JPY). The symbol for it is ¥.

You can change your pounds for yen here in the UK, or when you arrive. Just make sure to check the exchange rate and fees, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. It’s best to avoid changing currency in airports or hotels, as they are notorious for offering very poor deals in exchange for the convenience they offer.

Spending on a debit or credit card is also an option - you’ll just need to check whether your bank or card provider charges fees for spending in foreign currencies.

Japan is quite cash-centric, although cards are accepted in many major towns, cities and tourist areas.

You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Japan, usually located in shopping centres, main streets, central plazas and outside Japanese banks.

However, not all will accept foreign-issued cards. Your best bet if you have a UK-issued card is to look for ATMs at post offices and 7-Eleven convenience stores. You’ll also find them at international airports and larger department stores. Just look for the word ‘international’ on the ATM.

Read more about cash vs. card in Japan here, to help you work out the best way to spend during your trip.

Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Japanese yen

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Japan. It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals for up to 200 GBP (or currency equivalent) each month. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Sign up with Wise for free 🚀

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And that’s about it - everything you need to know about travelling to Japan from the UK.

You should now have all the essential travel tips and advice you need, on everything from money, visas and transport to health and safety. Have an amazing trip!

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Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Japan - Safety and Security
2. Skyscanner - Search - London to Tokyo
3. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Japan - Entry Requirements
4. Travel Health Pro - Japan
5. Kyodo News- FEATURE: Illegal taxis creating quandary for Japan's police, cab monopolies
6. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Japan - Getting Help
7. Japan-Guide - Renting a car
8. GOV.UK - Get an international driving permit (IDP)

Sources last checked on date: 26-Mar-2025